Today's teaching is from Debbie Kardon as she reflects on her time with the Mishkan Tefila community.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marcia Plumb
“People don’t come to rock shows to learn something. They come to be reminded of something they already know and feel deep down in their gut. That's when the world is at its best, when we are at our best, when life feels fullest..” Bruce Springsteen
Many of you may know my love affair with all things Bruce Springsteen. There are many words from his music that resonate with me. The above quote is from his book and made it into his Broadway show. Reading these words in the book and hearing them spoken from the stage created for me, the same reaction. Both times I thought to myself, Bruce has articulated the amazing moment when community and connection come together, and you feel both rooted and lifted simultaneously.
In this moment you are safely part of something bigger than yourself and you are acutely aware of who you are as an individual. For me, this moment occurs with the magic created at a concert. And, for me, this feeling often happens in Jewish communal space, whether in shul, walking around Israel, or sitting around my Shabbat table with my children and family. In these moments I feel the most aligned, connected, anchored, and ready to embrace all that life may open to me.
I have felt this feeling many times throughout my experiences at Mishkan. I would like to share three specific times:
Sukkah Under the Stars—November 2018, was held at the Lars Anderson Park.
This was the first time I led a program for the Mishkan community. Just starting to work a few days prior, I came to this event only knowing a few members of the community. What I remember about the welcome I received the night of this program, was that it came with a foundation of familiarity. New and needing to introduce myself, the nanosecond the introduction was over, I was immediately treated like someone who had been around for a long-time. One member came to volunteer to do a craft and we just worked together seamlessly, as if we had done this many a time before. (And we would go on to do this many more times—thank you!) Another member jumped in to help clean-up, quietly taking care of throwing away the trash and loading the tables in my car. Not glamorous tasks, yet he noticed the need and stepped in as if this had been the plan all along. (He would also go on to be the go-to person at many an event—thank you!) This natural and unassuming welcome, just an easy step over into the threshold of the Mishkan community, is one of the community's most special aspects.
Festive Friday:
From the pre-oneg nosh and schmooze to lingering over coffee and dessert to the beautiful sacred space filled with the Ruach (spirit) and spirituality, I adore EVERYTHING about Festive Friday at Mishkan Tefila. I am especially proud of the lay leadership, clergy, professional staff, and musicians who work hard to create the magical space and environment of Kabbalat Shabbat. The entire night is a touchstone to being "reminded of what we already know". We belong, we are holy, and we can make the world a little better. It is a time when the Mishkan community comes together to be filled and lifted.
2nd Day Rosh Hashanah:
When working in the non-profit world, there are times when the boundary between your professional and personal life is almost transparent. In all honesty, I came to 2nd day Rosh Hashanah services because I felt a sense of professional obligation to be there and experience a piece of the Mishkan High Holy Days. However, what I experienced was deeply personal. The moment I arrived the welcome was palpable. So many hugs and kisses. (Missing these greatly these days). One of the High Holy Day organizers came over and said my presence was requested on the bima to do a blessing. I was so taken by the impromptu gesture of inclusion and of being an embraced part of the Mishkan community. I remember sitting there on the bima, looking out at the community, and feeling all is right and life feels full.
I share these three examples with you today because all three happened within vastly different physical settings. There is something unique about the connection the Mishkan community has with one another that transcends physical space. Mishkan is a community of relationships between people. And this tapestry of kinship is sacred. This spiritual community is the part of Mishkan that will help each of you individually and Mishkan as a community, continue to grow and thrive through these unprecedented times.
And it is also what makes it so difficult to say good-bye to my professional relationship with Mishkan Tefila. Thank you for welcoming me, for your partnership and for all have I learned from my time with you.
Shabbat Shalom,
Debbie
Debbie Kardon
Director of Strategic Planning and Development
